CRIMINAL CODE [CAP. 9. 77 (3) Where the person guilty of any of the crimes referred to in this article is a public officer or servant specially charged with the drawing up, registration, or custody of any such act, judgment, decree or order, the punishment shall be increased by one degree. Forgery of acts or use of forged acts by public officer or servant. 171. Whosoever shall counterfeit the Public Seal of Malta, or shall knowingly make use of such counterfeited seal, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to five years, with or without solitary confinement. Counterfeiting the Public Seal of Malta. Amended by: XV. 1937.3; XXVII. 1975.15; XLIX.1981.4. 172. (1) Whosoever, except in the cases referred to in the last preceding article, shall counterfeit any seal, stamp, or other mark, used for sealing, stamping, marking, authenticating or certifying, in the name of the Government or of any of the authorities thereof, documents or effects, whether public or private property, or which are under the public guarantee, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to three years, with or without solitary confinement. Counterfeiting of seals, stamps, or other Government marks. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.33. (2) Whosoever shall knowingly make use of any such seal, stamp, or mark and whosoever shall knowingly and without lawful authority be in possession of the said objects, shall be liable to the same punishment. Making use of counterfeited seal, stamp, or mark. 173. Whosoever shall counterfeit postage stamps, or shall knowingly make use of counterfeited postage stamps, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, with or without solitary confinement. Counterfeiting postage stamps, and making use of same. Added by: XVI. 1900.137. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4. 174. (1) Whosoever, without the special permission of the Government, shall knowingly keep in his possession counterfeited postage stamps, dies, machines or instruments intended for the manufacture of postage stamps, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established in the last preceding article. Possessing counterfeited postage stamps, dies, etc. Added by. XVI.1900.137. Amended by: XXVII.1975.16. (2) The provisions contained in this and in the last preceding article shall also apply in regard to any stamp denoting a rate of postage of any foreign country. 175. The same punishment established in article 173 shall apply to any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, (the proof whereof shall lie on the person accused), knowingly purchases or receives, or takes or has in his custody or possession any paper exclusively manufactured or provided by or under the authority of the Government of Malta, for use as envelopes, wrappers or postage stamps, and for receiving the impression of stamp dies, plates or other instruments provided, made or used by or under the authority of the Government for postal purposes, before such paper has received such impression and has been issued for public use. Purchasing or having in possession certain paper before it has been duly stamped and issued. Added by: XVI.1900.137. Amended by: VIII.1909.9. 176. There shall be forgery within the meaning of articles 171 and 172, not only if a false instrument is made or affixed but also if the genuine instrument is fraudulently affixed. Act of counterfeiting Public Seal of Malta, stamps, etc., defined.